Handling equipment for sheet materials



April 16, 1963 E. L. WALTERS HANDLING EQUIPMENT FOR SHEET MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1960 A TTORNE YS April 16, 1963 E. L. WALTERS HANDLING EQUIPMENT FOR SHEET MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 3, 1960 fig. 5

a (9656 {Jaw 1e A TTORNE YS April 16, 1963 E. WALTERS 3,085,697

HANDLING EQUIPMENT FOR SHEET MATERIALS Filed Feb. 3, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 68 f 3% INVEN OR. 5 fivmax dam 61 1 BY -O 7 fiMk Mwope A 'I TURN/i YS April 16, 1963 E. WALTERS 3,085,697

HANDLING EQUIPMENT FOR SHEET MATERIALS Filed Feb. 5, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 --j mml l l ll l l iln A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent Ofifice 3,@85,697 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 3,085,697 HANDHNG EQUIPMENT FOR SPEET MATERIALS Emmett L. Walters, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Libbey- Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, at corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 3, 1%0, Ser. No. 6,467 8 Claims. (Cl. 214-405) Thepresent invention relates broadly to the handling of sheet materials, such as sheets of glass or the like, and more particularly to improved equipment for the loading and transporting of a plurality of relatively large size sheets of glass and for the temporary storage thereof.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide equipment for transporting a large number of sheets from one area of processing to another, which equipment embodies improved means for securing a plurality of sheets into a unitary package, and novel means for supporting the first-named means during the loading of the sheets thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in handling equipment of the above character, means for securing a plurality of sheets into a unitary package, including a novel type of clamping device so constructed that a plurality of unitized packages of sheets can be firmly stacked one against the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in handling equipment of the above character, clamping devices for securing a plurality of sheets into a unitary package and being so constructed that a transferring mechanism can be readily attached thereto to transport the clamping devices and unitized package of sheets to different locations.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved sheet handling equipment of the above character which is strong, sturdy and durable in construction, which will firmly clamp the glass sheets together in shuch a manner as to minimize breakage thereof, and which can be conveniently and safely handled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of sheet material handling equipment constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the support platform of the handling equipment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two packages of sheet material, each contained in handling yokes of the equipment and in stacked relation;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the handling yoke;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the yoke;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the yoke;

FIG. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view as taken on line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view as taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view as taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a yoke in a partially open position;

FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the support platform as taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of one end of the support platform;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top view of the platform;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a lift sling for trans I ferring a package of glass sheets by the handling yokes;

FIG. 15 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the sling taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary detail view of the sling with a yoke supported thereon; and

P16. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 1717 of FIG. 16.

The embodiments of the handling equipment of this invention include clamping or handling yokes generally designated by the letter A, a stationary platform B and a transfer device or lift sling C, respectively shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 14. In use, a pair of clamping or handling yokes A are adapted to be positioned in spaced relation on a platform B which is conveniently situated at an area adjoining the cutting table at the end of a machine producing sheet material in continuous ribbon formation. One example of such a machine is found in the flat glass industry.

In the manufacture of sheet glass, according to the so called horizontal process, a continuous ribbon is formed by conventional drawing apparatus and, after being annealed while moving along a substantially horizontal path, is capped or cut up into blanks having a length equal to the width of the original ribbon of glass and a width dimension that is varied according to subsequent processing requirements.

The sheets or blanks of glass have heretofore been stacked on conventional transfer members, known as A bucks and formed with inwardly inclined surfaces against which the sheets are placed. When a suitable number of sheets have been loaded, the bucks are removed to other processing areas or placed in storage. This manner of glass handling, while entirely satisfactory for certain purposes, has presented such obvious problems as a reduction in the number of available transfer bucks while the sheets are temporarily stored and a considerable loss of storage space due to the fact that such forms of transfer members cannot be supported one above another and consequently individually require a definite amount of floor area. Now, however, by including a plurality of sheets as a unitized package with a pair of handling yokes, the package can be easily transferred from one area to another or even stacked one above the other with a resulting saving in the handling thereof as Well as the required amount of storage area. And it is believed apparent that it is within the spirit of the invention to employ the equipment of this invention in the transportation or storage of other sheet materials such as metal or plastics.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a support platform generally designated by the letter B, on which a pair of clamping yokes A are positioned while a plurality of sheets S, such as of glass, are stacked thereupon. After a pair of yokes have been placed in spaced relation on the platform, glass sheets are loaded thereon, with the shorter dimension of each sheet disposed vertically, until a so-called unitized package is completed. Similar support platforms B are also located in other processing areas and a package of glass sheets is transferred thereto when the yokes have been closed to confine the same therein. As shown in FIG. 1, the yokes A are illustrated in their open positions in order that the sheets S can be loaded on or removed therefrom one at a time. Another novel aspect of the invention resides in the fact that by means of the yokes, packages of glass sheets can be easily arranged in stacked relation, as shown in FIG. 3, for storage purposes. A transfer means C of the form shown in FIG. 14 is provided to facilitate transporting of a package from one area to another :area.

The Clamping Yoke The clamping or handling yoke A (FIGS. 4 through is essentially a rectangular frame 18 comprising a rigid L-shaped section 19 and an inverted L-shaped section 20 which is formed of separable members 21 and 22 adapted to be swung relative to one another as well as in relation to the L-shaped section 19. In this novel structure, the L-shaped section 19 constitutes a base member 23 and a vertical side member 24 upon and against which the sheet material is stacked on edge, while the separable members 21 and 22 of the inverted L-shaped section 20 are separated, as shown in FIG. 1, or which combine with the said members 21 and 22 to provide a substantially rigid and rectangular frame 18 around a package of sheets when said members 21 and 22 are secured together. The sections 19 and 20 may be formed of square steel tubing although other materials will serve to equally good advantage. The upper surface of the lower end or base member 23 and the complementary inner surface of side member 24 of the section 19 are covered with felt layers 25. The open end of each member 23 and 24 is closed by a block 26 and 27, respectively, to mount the adjoining side member 22 and top member 21 for swinging movement relative thereto.

More particularly, the horizontal base or bottom member 23 and a vertical wall or side member 24 are secured together at the adjoining ends to form a right angle. This is accomplished by cutting the respective ends of the members 23 and 24 diagonally and then rigidly joining the same so that in assembled relation they will form the L-shaped section 19.

The end of member 23 is equipped with the block 26 having a horizontally disposed threaded shaft 28 while the pivoted frame or side member 22, in the lower end thereof, is provided with a block 29 having a downwardly directed lug 30 provided with an opening for receiving the shaft 28. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a nut 31 is turned onto the shaft 28 until a washer 32 lightly engages the face of block 26 so that the side member 22 may readily be swung in an are without appreciable deviation from a vertical plane. The nut 31 and shaft 28 are then cross-drilled and fitted with a locking pin 33.

T e block 27, at the upper end of the side member 24, supports the pivoted top frame member 21 on a threaded shaft 35 projecting vertically from said block. For this purpose, the proximate end of the top member 21 is fitted with a block 36 having a hole therein for receiving the threaded shaft 35. In assembling the top member 21 for swinging movement relative to the side member 24, and substantially in a horizontal plane, a washer 37 and nut 38 are placed on the upper surface of the block 36 and a washer 39 put on the shaft 35 which is then inserted through the opening in the block. The nut 38 is then threaded onto the shaft 35 until a firm but freely rotatable association between the frame members is ob tained. Thereafter, access may be had through either the open end of the member 21 or previously drilled holes 46 (FIG. 4) in the side walls 41 and 42 thereof for drilling through the nut and shaft to secure the nut from rotation upon the insertion of a pin 43.

The pivoted member 21, constituting the top element of the yoke A, is additionally provided with pairs of upwardly and outwardly inclined guide plates 45 and 46; the pair 45 being located at the end of said member in the vicinity of the block 36 therein. The pair of guide plates 46 are located substantially midway between the ends of member 21 and are provided with circular holes aligned with holes of the same diameter in the side walls 41 and 42 and through which a hanger rod 47 is inserted. Each end of rod 47 is provided with an enlarged head 48 formed by welding a washer to a reduced diameter on at least one end of the rod.

The free ends of the pivoted yoke members 21 and 22 are adapted to be secured together so that the yoke A will be rigidly maintained as a rectangular frame (FIG. 4) about a package of glass sheets (FIG. 3). For this purpose, the top yoke member 21, at its free end, is equipped with an especially formed block 50 having a recess 51 therein, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The recess 51 is open through the side wall 52 and the bottom wall 53 of block 50. Each of the end portions 54 and 55 of the block 50 defining the recess 51 therebetween are drilled to receive a pin 56 which is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the yoke member 21.

The free end of the member 22 (FIG. 10) is equipped with a block 60 having a lug or hook portion 61 having a notch 62 for receiving the pin 56 when the hook 61 is located in the recess 51 and engages the pin 56 by the notch 62. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, this engage ment assures alignment of the pivoted side member 22 with the side member 24 and the top member 21 with the bottom frame member 23 but more particularly establishes a load-sustaining relation whereby the weight of the sheet materials on the bottom member 23 and carried by the side members 22 and 24 will be equally distributed between the ends of the top frame member 21. As illustrated in FIG. 10, opening or closing of the yoke A is accomplished by swinging motion of the members 21 or 22 toward or away from one another. As viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the yoke members 21 and 22 are located in a fully open position.

When the hook portion 61 is engaged in load carrying relation with the pin 56, the top member 21 and side member 22 are secured from swinging motion to positively retain the hook portion within the recess 51 and, consequently, the pin 56 firmly within the notch 62 of the hook, by means of a locking pin 63 and associated keeper plates 64 and 65. The plate 64 is fixedly mounted on the end surface of the block 50 while the plate 65 is similarly positioned at the adjoining end of the member 22. The pin 63, which is substantially L-shaped with a lock bolt portion 66 and handle 67, is restrained in either of two positions, i.e. locked or unlocked, by means of stops 68 and 69 which are secured to the end of the block 50 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The stop 68 is located above the keeper plate 64 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the handle 67 while the stop 69 is positioned a similar distance thereabove. The stop 68 is also of sufiicient length to insure that when the handle is located as in FIG. 10, the end of the bolt 66 will be located above the plane of the bottom wall of the member 21 and well out of engagement with the keeper plate 65 on the frame member 22. Also, the stop 69 is located in substantially axial alignment with the axis of the lock bolt 66 to the end that the locking pin 63 cannot be inadvertently withdrawn to remove the bolt 66 from the keeper plate 64. When the locking pin is to be moved between either of the positions in which it is shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the handle 67 is swung outwardly to a position as indicated in broken lines 67a in FIG. 4 and the bolt 66 lifted from or inserted into the keeper plate 65 after which the handle is swung inwardly above or below the stop 68. Thus, when the rectangular frame of yoke A is completed by location of the side frame member 22 in parallel with the side member 24 and the top member 21 similarly located with respect to the bottom member 23, the hook portion 61 will be engaged with the pin 56 in recess 51 and the pin 63 in keeper plates 64 and 65 will maintain this closed relation of the respective frame members.

Th pivoted side member 22 is equipped with a clamping device 70 whereby sufficient pressure can be exerted on the package of glass sheets to firmly retain them within the yoke. For this purpose, a T-shaped bar 71 is slidably supported in the inwardly directed wall 72 of the member 22 with the leg 73 thereof passing through a vertically disposed slot 74 in said wall, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9. The outer surface 75 of the T-bar is covered with a layer of felt 76 or other cushioning material. The clamping device is propelled toward or retracted from the surface of the outermost glass sheet of a package by means of a threaded rod 77. As shown particularly in FIG. 9, the outer end of the threaded rod 77 is provided with a hand knob 78 while the opposite or inner end 79 of the rod is rotatably attached to the leg 73 of the bar '71. More particularly, the end of the rod which is attached to the bar 71 is reduced in diameter and provided with an annular groove 80. The bar leg 73 carries a socketed block 81 in which the rod end 79 is retained by a pin 32 which passes through holes in the block aligned with one side of the groove. The threaded rod 77 is rotatably mounted in an internally threaded block 83 that is fixedly mounted in the outwardly directed wall 34 of the yoke member 22. Consequently, when the rod 77 is turned by means of the knob 78 and progressively moved inwardly of the member 22, the clamping device 70 will be carried outwardly to establish firm contact between the felt surface 76 and the outwardly directed surface of the last sheet in the unitized package, as indicated in broken line in FIG. 4.

The Support Platform The support platform B, as viewed in FIGS. 2, ll, 12. and 13, includes a framework 87 which is generally U- shaped in plan and is formed with a base portion 88 having end table or yoke support areas 3 9 and 90 and with a substantially vertically disposed back wall 91.

The table or yoke support areas 89- and 911 of the base portion 88 and the back wall 91 position a pair of clamp ing members or yokes A so that they will be equally spaced from the ends of the glass sheets while the same are loaded thereupon. This enables a package of sheets to be formed while the yokes are arranged in spaced relation and according to the length of the sheets so that the weight thereof will be suitably balanced when a unitized package is to be removed from the platform B and transported to another area. For this purpose, the support areas 89-99 and back wall 91 are each equipped with locator members, generally designated by the numerals 92, 93' and 94, that form aligning slots 95 and 96 in which the yokes are located. Accordingly, the slots 95- will properly loca-te a pair of yokes to support a plurality of glass sheets having a relatively shorter length than a like plurality of sheets to be placed on yokes located in the aligned slots 96.

More particularly, each of the table areas 89 and 90 is formed by transversely disposed structural members 98, 99 and 1410 that are joined at their forward ends to a longitudinally extending structural member or channel 101. At their opposite ends, the structural members 18, 99 and 100 of both table areas are secured to a longitudinally disposed channel or structural member 102 thereby establishing the space separating the table areas. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the innermost members 100' of the table areas are inter-connected by a bracing member 1113 which is located substantially midway between their ends in parallel with the member 102. This arrangement provides a central, open area to facilitate entry of an operator to place or remove a sheet of glass on a pair of yokes A which are supported by the platform B in the manner described above. A layer of felt is provided on the channel 103 to protect the legs of operators carrying a glass sheet and entering this open area in the platform between the supporting areas 89 and 911 thereof. The end channels 191 at the front of the platform are supported on individual legs or pedestals 104 while the channel member 102 at the rear of the stand is mounted on a channel 105 which constitutes the rear leg or pedestal. And the legs 104 and 105 are equipped with horizontally disposed plates 106 which serve as supporting foot surfaces for the framework 87.

The back wall 91 is formed by a plurality of vertically disposed posts 110, 111, 112' and 113 that are spaced along the channel 102 and inter-connected by a horizontal structural member or channel 114. The posts 110 and 113 are located in the corners of the framework 87 formed at the juncture of each transverse channel 98 and the channel 102 and terminate at the level of the channel 114. On the other hand, the posts 111 and 112 are secured at their lower ends to the channel 102 in substantial alignment with the table channels The posts 111 and 112 are considerably longer than the adjoining posts and 113 and the forwardly facing surfaces of their upwardly extending ends are interjoined by an angular brace 115. At the upper ends of these posts, an angle iron stop plate 116 is provided. Each of the plates 116 is secured to the outwardly directed surface of the channels and with a leg portion 117 directed substantially in alignment with the rear surface of the adjacent brace 115. In spaced relation beneath the brace 115, a second angular brace member 118- is secured to forward sides of the posts 111 and 112. The horizontally disposed and forwardly directed legs 11h or 120 of the braces 115 and 118, respectively, are adapted to serve as support surfaces or ledges for pivoted top members 21 of the yokes A, as will be hereinafter more fully :set forth. Also, the outermost channel 98 of each table area 89 and 90 is formed with a notch 121 (FIG. 2) in which a pivoted side member 22 is received when a clamping yoke is in the open position shown in FIG. 1.

The actual supporting surface of the table areas 89 and 90 is provided by channel members 125 and 126 located in parallel, spaced relation with the channels 101 and 102. The channels 125 and 126- are secured at their ends to the structural members 911 and 100 and, as seen in FIG. 11, are located at a slight angle to the horizontal so that a plane along a transverse line across their top surfaces will be inclined rearwardly from the front of the stand generally. A wall is provided along the rear edges of each channel 126 by securing an angular structural member 127 lengthwise to the adjoining surface of said channel and at its ends to the posts 110-111 and 112-413. If desired, reinforcing or gusset plates 128 may be secured to the posts 110-111, posts 112-113, the channel member 114 and the structural member-s 127. The vertically inclined leg 129 of each angle 127 is disposed at a slight angle to a perpendicular plane and more especially at substantially a right angle to the inclined upper surface of the channel 126. The inclination of these surfaces affords a positive support for a yoke A, as shown in FIG. 11, such that while glass sheets are being stacked on the L-shaped section 19* thereof, or being removed, they will lean inwardly of the stand and thus be prevented from falling. In order to firmly support each yoke, the previously described channel 114 is secured in angular relation to the posts 110113 and the line of a plane across the surface of the leg 129 will be coincident on the surface of said channel.

As above mentioned, locator members 92, 93 and 94 are provided for accurately positioning a clamping yoke A in either of two positions on each of the table areas 89 and 90. The locators are mounted on the channels 125, 126 and the channel 114 and include suitably spaced blocks 130, 131 and 132 which are arranged in aligned sets of three each. Each block of the locators is spaced from an adjoining block by an amount sufiicient to create the locating slots 95 and 96, each slot having a width slightly greater than the thickness of a yoke. The distance between the pairs of locating slots. is determined by the average length of the glass sheets and accordingly the inner pair of slots 95 may be utilized for sheets of one length and the outer pair of slots 96 for sheets of a greater length. More especially, the length of the glass sheets is determined by the width of the glass ribbon as it is formed and the yokes A are preferably spaced inwardly from the ends of the sheets so that an equilibrium of balance will be maintained when the yokes A are lifted from the platform B by a sling C.

Provision is also made for supporting the sheets of glass in their central planular areas by way of a brace 135 Which is fixed at its lower end to a structural mem- 7 her 136, extending between the channels 102 and 103, and at its upper end to the channel member 114. Preferably the forwardly facing surfaces of the channel 103 and brace 135 are covered with a protective layer 137 as of felt. And while the platform B, in its entirety, may be assembled by the use of securing means, such as bolts or rivets, it has been shown to be a completely welded structure.

The Lift Sling The lift sling C has heretofore been described as a transfer or transporting device for a package of glass sheets and is adapted to carry the same upon engagement with the rod 4-7 of each of the pair of yokes A in which the sheets are contained. The sling can thus be employed with a bridge crane or lift truck to remove a unitized package of sheets from a platform B and, by the yokes A, carry the same to a second processing area or to a storage area. For this purpose, the lift sling has a beam member 140 equipped with a plurality of fixedly mounted locator devices 141, 142, 143 and 144 that are arranged in pairs inwardly from the ends of the beam. The locator devices. are generally spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between the locator slots 95 and 96 on the support surfaces of the platform. Accordingly, the outwardly positioned locator devices 141 and 144 will be operatively aligned with the outwardly disposed pair of slots 96 while the locator devices 142 and 143 may be similarly positioned with reference to the inwardly disposed pair of slots 95. Cooperating with the several locator devices are a plurality of pairs of support members 145, 146, 147 and 148. As will be more fully hereinafter described, each pair of support plates 145-148 and 146-147 is adapted to engage and lift a yoke A with the first pair effective when the yokes A are resetting in the outermost slots 96 and the second pair effective when the yokes are resting in the inner slots 95.

As viewed in FIGS. 14, 15 and 17, each locator device is comprised of an L-shaped bracket 150 and a U-shaped locator member 151. The bracket 156, in each instance, is secured at the end of its horizontally disposed leg 152 to a mounting block 153 by bolts 154; the blocks 153 depending from the lower leg 155 of the beam 140. The vertically disposed leg 156 of each bracket terminates at its lower end in a vertical wall 157 to which the web 158 of the locator member 151 is secured by screws 159. The outwardly directed fianges 160 of each member 151 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the side member 24 of a yoke which is to be received therebetween. The flanges 160 are formed with outwardly bent or flaring ends 161 to afford guiding surfaces which upon engagement with the side member 24 of a yoke A will cause shifting of the lift sling until each of the locator members is properly registered with its respective yoke. While acting to locate the lift sling C with respect to a pair of yokes A, mounted in spaced relation on the platform B, the rigidly mounted members 150 may also serve to maintain the yokes from swinging movement while a package of sheets is being carried thereby.

Each pair of support or hanger members 14-"14$ and 146147 includes vertically disposed plates 163 and 164 located on opposite sides of amounting block 153 and carried on a shafting arrangement 165 which is operatively driven by a motorized unit 166. This shafting comprises axially aligned shafts 167 and 168 which are journaled in bearings 169 secured to and depending from the lower leg 155 of the I-bearn. The inwardly opposed ends of the shafts 167 and 163 (FIG. 14) are connected to the out-put shafts of the motorized unit 166 by means of couplings 170.

Each shaft 167 or 168 is equipped with pairs of worms 171 and 172, on which a hanger plate 163 or 164 is threadably carried. The worms 171 and 172 are secured on their respective shafts by pins 173 and are arranged in pairs; each pair having a worm with a right-hand or 8 left-hand thread. Each hanger plate (FIG. 15) is provided with a fixedly mounted collar 174 having an internally threaded opening operatively meshing with a respectively located worm. A plate 163, mounted on a worm 171, and a plate 164, mounted on a worm 172,

will accordingly move inwardly toward one another during rotation of the shafting 165 in one direction and, conversely, away from one another during reverse rotation of the shafting.

The collars 174 are mounted adjacent the upper end of each plate 163 or 164- while a bayonet-type opening 175 is formed near the lower end thereof. Each bayonettype opening is formed with an upper circular area 176 sufficiently large to freely pass the head 48 of a rod 47 therethrough and a lower area 177 in which the body of the rod will fit but which is smaller than the head 48. Accordingly, when the rods 47 are horizontally aligned with the upper areas 176 of the hanger plates 163 and 164, rotation of the shafts 167 and 168 in one direction will move the plates 163 and 164 inwardly or toward one another until the enlarged heads 48 of the rod 47 have moved through the areas 176 and are located outwardly of the said hanger plates. Upon upward motion of the lift sling, as by a crane, the plates are raised relative to the rods 47 until the rods are received in the lower slot areas 177 whereupon continued upward motion of the sling will lift the yokes and package of sheets from the platform B.

To carry the lift sling by means of a crane or lift truck, the upper leg 180 of the beam 140 is equipped with so-called grab-irons 181 adapted to be engaged by a cable or hooks, indicated in broken lines 182 in FIG. 14. Each grab-iron is formed with aligned leg portions 183 secured to the surface of the upper leg 180 of the beam 140 and with a medial portion 184 that is bent upwardly in an inverted V-shape.

In use, a pair of clamping members or handling yokes A are arranged on the table areas 89 and of the support platform B in the pairs of locator notches or 96 according to the length of glass sheets to be placed thereupon. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a yoke A is positioned in each of the inwardly disposed locator slots 95. Accordingly, the lower member 23 of each yoke will be located between the blocks 131 and 132 of the locators 92 and 93 on the table areas 89 and 90 while the side members 24 will be received between the blocks 131 and 132 of the locator 94 on the back wall 91.

Since each yoke is usually mounted on the respective table surfaces of the platform in a closed condition, the handle 67 of each lock pin 63 is swung outwardly from beneath the associated stop 68 and lifted to remove the lock bolt 66 from the keeper plate 65 on the yoke side member 22. The handle is then swung inwardly to rest on the upper surface of the stop 68. The pivoted side member 22 and top member 21 of the clamping yoke A at the right hand end of the platform (FIG. 1) are now swung apart as shown in FIG. 10 till each is at the full open position shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the side members 22 open away from each other and the top members 21 open toward each other. More specifically, the notch 62 of hook 61 at the end of the member 22 will disengage the pin 56 in the recess 51 of the block 50 at the end of the associated member 21 and the members 22 will be swung downwardly to a position r in which they are received in the notches 121 of the channels 98 of the platform.

As previously mentioned, each of the horizontally disposed legs 119 and 120 of the structural brace members and 118 respectively provide support for the frame members 21 of one size yoke, when in their open positions. As shown in FIG. 1, the members 21 are located on the leg of the brace member 118 and further opening or swinging movement is arrested by the portions of the posts 111 and 112 between the braces 115 and 118. However, in the event that the yokes A are formed with side members 22 and 24 of a longer dimension than those herein described and shown to accommodate wider sheets of glass, the top members 21 will be received on the legs 119 of the brace 115 and further swinging movement will be halted by the stops 116 provided for this purpose.

Upon completion of a unitized package of sheets, the side member 22 of each yoke is swung upwardly and the associated top member 21 is moved to receive the hook 61 in the recess 51 with the notch 62 engaging the pin 56. The handle 67 is manipulated in the manner previously disclosed to lower the lock bolt 66 when the bolt openings of keeper plates 64 and 65 are axially aligned. The hand knob 78 is next turned to move the felt covered web 75 of the bar 71 against the surface of the outermost sheet of glass by advance of the screw shaft 77 through the threaded block 83. This completes the package wherein a plurality of sheets of glass are clampingly held as a unitized package by the clamping members 70 with the weight of the sheets evenly apportioned between the two supporting yokes A.

To remove the package of sheets from a platform B, a sling C is positioned above the yokes A and lowered until the rods 47 of said yokes are aligned with the larger areas 176 of openings 175 in the plates 163 and 164 of the pairs 146 and 147. At the same time, the locator members 142 and 143 will register with each yoke to position the side member 22 between the flanges 160. While the aligned relation of the larger area 176 of the opening 175 with the rods 47 is maintained, the drive unit 166 is operated to rotate the shafts 167 and 168 in such direction that the worms 171 and 172 thereon will advance the plates 163 and 164 toward one another. When the enlarged heads 48 of the rods 47 are located as shown in FIG. 16, the sling is lifted to raise the plates 163 and 164 thereby engaging the rods by the rod-confining lower areas 177. By means of conventional conveyors, such as overhead cranes or lift trucks, equipped with the sling C, a package of sheets is safely transported either to an area for subsequent processing operations or to a storage area. In the event that the sheets are to be stored, one package is stacked upon another as shown in FIG. 3. This is accomplished by lowering a second package so that the lower frame members 23 of each yoke A are within each pair of guide plates 45 and 46 carried by the top members 21 of the lower yokes A. When proper location of the lower members 23 of the upper yokes with reference to the top members 21 is obtained, the sling is lowered to place the bottom surfaces of the said lower members 23 in firmly supported relation on the upper surfaces of the top members 21.

To release the sling C from the yokes A, the sling is lowered to move the openings 176 in the plates 163 and 164 into axial alignment with the rods 47. Upon operation of the motorized unit 166, the shafts 167 and 168 are driven in the direction opposite from the first direction of operation, with the resultant movement of the plates 163 and 164 of particularly the pairs 146 and 147 outwardly from one another along their respective worms 171 and 172. The sling may then be removed by upward and lateral movement leaving the package of sheets supported on a platform B for unloading or to receive another package in stacked relation.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a pre ferred embodiment of the same, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

ii. In sheet handling equipment, in combination, a support platform including a substantially horizontal base portion and a substantially vertical back wall secured thereto, a plurality of clamping yokes positioned on said support platform for receiving a stack of sheets, each said clamping yoke comprising an L-shaped section including a base member and an upright rear wall member joined rigdily thereto, a top member pivotally carried at the upper end of the rear wall member, and a front wall member pivotally carried at the outer end of the base member, said top and front wall members of the clamping yokes being pivotable to positions to one side of said L-shaped section during stacking of the sheets thereon and being adapted to subsequently be releasably secured to each other to form with said L-shaped section a rectangular frame surrounding the stack of sheets, and positioning means on the base portion and back wall of said support platform for removably locating the clamping yokes in properly spaced relation to receive the sheets on the L-shaped section thereof.

2.. In sheet handling equipment as claimed in claim 1, in which said positioning means includes locator members on the base portion and back wall of the platform in substantial alignment with one another and arranged in equally spaced relation to locate a pair of clamping yokes in parallel spaced relation to one another.

3. In sheet handling equipment as claimed in claim 1, in which one of the pivoted members of each said yoke is provided with means for clamping a stack of sheets against the oppositely disposed portion of the L-shaped section of the respective yoke when said L-shaped section, top member and front wall member are associated with one another to form a substantially rectangular frame.

4. In sheet handling equipment, in combination, a platform having a substantially horizontal supporting base portion and a substantially vertical back wall, a plurality of clamping yokes, each comprising an L-s'haped section and an inverted L-shaped section, the L-shaped section including a substantially horizontal bottom member and a substantially vertical side member rigidly joined together, the inverted L-shaped section including a top member and a vertical side member, means for pivotally connecting the inner end of said top member to the upper end of the vertical side member of the L-shaped section to swing about a substantially vertical axis, and means for pivotally connecting the lower end of said vertical side member to the outer end of the bottom member of said L-shaped section to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, the pivoted top member and pivoted side member of the inverted L-shaped section being provided at their adjacent ends with means inter-engaging one another, and means for locking said inter-engaging means together, the base portion and back wall of said platform being provided with means for removably positioning the L-shaped sections of the clamping yokes in properly spaced relation during stacking of a plurality of sheets on edge upon said L-shaped sections, the pivoted top member and pivoted side member forming the inverted L-shaped sections being movable about their respective axes to positions to one side of the L-shaped sections during stacking of the sheets thereon and subsequently into engagement with one another to cooperate with the L-shaped sections to form the rectangular frame and retain the stack of sheets therein.

5. In sheet handling equipment as claimed in claim 4, in which the pivoted top members of the clamping yokes are provided with means for guiding the L-shaped sections of a second pair of clamping yokes into supported relation upon the top members of a first pair of clamping yokes.

6. In sheet handling equipment as claimed in claim 4, in which the pivoted side members of the inverted L-shaped sections are provided with means for clampingly engaging the stack of sheets when the L-shaped sections and inverted L-shaped sections are arranged to form rectangular frames thereabout.

7. In sheet handling equipment as claimed in claim 4, including connecting means carried by the top member of said inverted L-shaped section for engagement by a transfer apparatus to permit handling of the stack of sheets carried within the clamping yokes.

8. In sheet handling equipment, in combination, a plat- 1 1 form having a substantially horizontal supporting base portion and a substantially vertical back wall, a plurality of clamping yokes, each composed of an L-shaped section and an inverted L-shaped section including members pivotally carried at the opposite ends of the L-shaped section and cooperating therewith to form a rectangular frame, the base portion and back Wall of said platform being provided with means for removably positioning the L-shaped sections in properly spaced relation during stacking of the sheets on edge upon said L-shaped sections, the said members forming the inverted L-shaped sections being movable to positions to one side of the L-shaped sections during the stacking of the sheets thereon and subsequently into locking engagement with one another to coact with the L-shaped sections to retain the stack of sheets in position, means on the base portion of the platform for supporting one pivoted member of each yoke, and means on the back wall of said platform for supporting the other pivoted member of each yoke when said pivoted members 12. are moved. to positions to one side of the L-shaped section and said L-shaped section is located by said positioning means on the platform.

References Cited in thefileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 642,962 Danner Feb. 6, 1900 1,029,139 Moltrup June 11, 1912 1,741,051 Ford Dec. 24, 1929 1,772,734 Romine Aug. 12, 1930 1,883,373 Hilliard Oct. 18, 1932 2,005,099 McLeod June 18, 1935 2,262,794 Burbank Nov. 18, 1941 2,305,405 Burrell Dec. 15, 1942 2,384,307 Husson et al. Sept. 4, 1945 2,462,691 Thompson Feb. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,001,473 Germany Jan. 24, 1957 

1. A SHEET HANDLING EQUIPMENT, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT PLATFORM INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL BASE PORTION AND A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL BACK WALL SECURED THERETO, A PLURALITY OF CLAMPING YOKES POSITIONED ON SAID SUPPORT PLATFORM FOR RECEIVING A STACK OF SHEETS, EACH SAID CLAMPING YOKE COMPRISING AN L-SHAPED SECTION INCLUDING A BASE MEMBER AND AN UPRIGHT REAR WALL MEMBER JOINED RIGIDLY THERETO, A TOP MEMBER PIVOTALLY CARRIED AT THE UPPER END OF THE REAR WALL MEMBER, AND A FRONT WALL MEMBER PIVOTALLY CARRIED AT THE OUTER END OF THE BASE MEMBER, SAID TOP AND FRONT WALL MEMBERS OF THE CLAMPING 